Progressive handicapper Amazing Journey has been snapped up to compete for Ciaron Maher in Australia, with the nation's second most valuable race, the Golden Eagle, earmarked as his initial objective.
Sale and Transfer Details
The three-year-old gelding stormed to victory in the £150,000 Moet and Chandon International at Ascot under Saffie Osborne last month for Lambourn trainer Jamie Osborne, but has been sold privately by owners Gallagher Bloodstock.
Jamie Osborne confirmed the horse had departed for Harry Eustace's yard to begin quarantine ahead of his journey to Australia where he will be targeted October 31 contest at Randwick in Sydney, a race offering a winner's purse exceeding £1.25 million.
Trainer's Comments
Osborne told the Press Association: "Will Bourne completed the deal acting for Ciaron Maher and the new connections have the idea of taking him Down Under to aim at the race that Lake Forest won for William Haggas two years ago."
"It is a four-year-olds only seven-furlong race and while Amazing Journey would have a little bit to go to match Lake Forest he is improving fast."
No Regrets from Stable
Osborne remained pragmatic about the horse's exit, maintaining there were no conflicting feelings from his stable. "That is part of the job and it gives us immense satisfaction to be able to buy a thirty grand yearling and sell it on for a significant sum," he said. "When this happens it is very much a success, so I'm pleased for Pat Gallagher who now gets a period of 'free' racing."
Amazing Journey will turn four years old upon arrival, with the Melbourne Spring Carnival at Randwick in Sydney marking the start of their campaign.
